Transfusions of red blood cells are given to children for a wide range of indications, including anemia due to congenital or acquired disease, or blood loss from trauma, surgery, and/or frequent blood sampling. Red cell transfusion has significant risks, including volume overload, transmission of infectious agents, and various immunologic consequences including transfusion reactions. Many of these complications can be avoided with careful administration of red cell transfusions.

The administration and complications of red cell transfusion in infants and children will be reviewed here. Other aspects of red blood cell transfusion in infants and children are discussed in separate topic reviews:

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